Bikers ride for hope against cancer

Sunday

Oct 7, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By ANDREA BULFINCHabulfinch@fosters.com

NORTH HAMPTON — Hundreds of riders turned out on Saturday to support those who have faced cancer in their lives during the Ride for Hope And Help that began at Seacoast Harley-Davidson in North Hampton and raised money for Walkers for Knockers, a group of walkers who are raising money for local cancer awareness and research.Begun three and a half years ago by Brenda Smith, a loyal customer at Seacoast Harley-Davidson who wanted to do a ride for breast cancer to help out people in her community, the Ride for Hope, formerly the Ride for a Cure, is aimed to do just that.Ariel Andrews, Seacoast Harley-Davidson marketing director, said the event has been a big success each year.“She wanted the event to be in support of survivors, those fighting and those who have passed,” Andrews said, explaining that 100 percent of the proceeds go toward local charities benefiting cancer research.“She has kicked ass with it for three years,” she said. “She’s pretty much just been the most inspiration to all of us,” Andrews said.This is the first year that 100 percent of the proceeds goes to local families and charities for breast cancer support.“You can see your money at work,” Andrews said.The ride ended at Ron Jillians in Hampton a couple hours later after a ride along the Seacoast on Route 1.Smith’s aunt, who passed away from breast cancer, was partly the inspiration for the event, but Smith said it reached beyond that, with a desire to help people fighting the same disease within her own community. She said it’s always events like this where you end up hearing inspirational and motivational stories.“Now it’s just crazy,” she said of the number of people who help out. “I think the meaning has turned into people helping people,” she said and added that people who have joined Walkers for Knockers and Ride for the Cure go on to do other efforts to help people on their own. For Smith, she said the effort has taken over her life. “The relationships that have blossomed from it are just amazing,” Smith said. “I’m just trying to help other people,” she said.